Cannabis Infused Coconut Oil: A Staple For The Edibles Kitchen

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Cannabis-infused coconut oil is the single most versatile ingredient to have ready for cooking edibles.

Cannabutter and the always popular cannabis-infused olive oil get a lot of attention, but coconut oil beats these infusions on all accounts.

Coconut oil is appropriate for just about every dietary restriction (we are talking to all the vegans out there). Plus, the shelf life of this homemade product is unprecedented. If you love edibles, but hate to make them, feel free to meal-prep a big batch of cannabis-infused coconut oil, to have on hand for the next six months. Tucked at the back of your refrigerator, it’s always there when you need it.

It’s also useful for more than just edibles. Infused coconut oil is an excellent topical, great for working the cannabis medicine deep into tight muscles and inflamed joints. Also, it’s a wonderful all-natural personal lubricant that is said to elevate the sexual experience without triggering a high.

The 5 Benefits of Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil

Vegan: Coconut oil contains absolutely no dairy, eggs, or animal products. As such, it is a favorite go-to ingredient for cannabis-loving vegetarians and vegans.

Keto-Friendly: If you are sticking to a strict Ketogenic diet, coconut oil is right up there with organic butter and olive oil as a healthy fat. A perfect addition to your keto stockpile of staple ingredients.

Healthy Fats: Fats are back in favor, and now experts believe a diet high in healthy fats is good for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and overall health. Coconut oil has a unique composition of comparably rare fatty acids which some nutritionists believe lead to its health benefits.

Versatile from Sweet to Savory: a jar (or two) of cannabis-infused coconut oil in your cupboard has unlimited applications. It works well in many delicious baked goods, Indian and Asian inspired savory dishes, warm chocolate-y drinks, and even on pancakes in the morning.

Long Shelf Life: Generally speaking, plain-jane coconut oil has a shelf life of at least two years. Once infused with cannabinoids, the shelf life may deteriorate slightly. Still, it is much better than olive oil (which can go rancid) and butter (which can rot). Keep cannabis-infused coconut oil in the refrigerator for a year or more without risk of it going stale.

Make Your Own Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil With This Easy Recipe

Further, feel free to double or triple this recipe depending on how much final cannabis-infused coconut oil you want to have in your stoner kitchen. A big batch can last months because coconut oil naturally has excellent shelf stability. If you keep it in your refrigerator or freezer, the product is safe for a year or more.

Tools:

Cheesecloth

Slow cooker

Hand Grinder

Ingredients:

1 cup organic coconut oil

1 cup roughly ground cannabis (your bud of preference)

Directions:

If your flower is not already ground, roughly grind using a hand grinder. Do not use a blender, as you’ll end up with more dust than flower. Dust is technically useable for an infusion or edible, but it’ll be difficult to remove during the straining process. You’ll end up with oil with an earthy flavor, and dark in color. A rough grind, or even chop with a kitchen knife is perfectly fine.

Place coconut oil and cannabis in the slow cooker, and turn on low for upwards of six to eight hours. If you do not have a slow cooker, you can also use a basic saucepan on the stovetop. Keep in mind; it is much easier to burn the cannabinoids and destroy the flavor using the saucepan method. If you use a saucepan, cook time is three hours, but we highly recommend you monitor the mixture at all times and adjust the temperature if you need to.

After six to eight hours (slow cooker) or 3 hours (stovetop) turn off the heating element and remove from heat.

Once you cool the oil enough that it is safe to handle, but still liquid, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth. You may feel the need to squeeze the cheesecloth to get every last drop out, but this can contaminate the oil with extra chlorophyll (green color). To keep your cannabis-infused coconut oil as clear and flavorless as possible – skip squeezing entirely. Simply dispose of the leftover material in the compost.

8 Ways to Use Your Homemade Cannabis-Infused Coconut Oil

Need a little inspiration for your new batch of infused coconut oil? Here is only a small sampling of the many possibilities that await you.

Coconut oil makes a great vegan substitute in both sweet and savory dishes and is exceptionally versatile if you use the refined coconut oil. Refined coconut oil has far less coconut-y flavor, and delicious in just about any recipe!

Finally, if you are more familiar with the more popular fatty infusions, like butter and olive oil, making a batch of cannabis-infused coconut oil is worth the effort. It should open up a world of medicinal possibilities you never knew were possible.

Jessica McKeil

Jessica McKeil is a freelance writer focused on the medical marijuana industry, from production methods to medicinal applications. She is lucky enough to live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada where the cannabis industry is exploding. When not writing, she spends much of her time exploring in the coastal forests.